Couple celebrate legal victory over clampers
A COUPLE are celebrating after winning a 10-month battle against an East Yorkshire clamping firm.
Ray and Ann Van Spall, directors of a children's nursery in Hull city centre, took Sector Security Ltd to court after Mrs Van Spall was clamped at Hull Marina on February 12.
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Ray and Ann Van Spall
The businesswoman, who had attended a half-hour meeting at the World Trade Centre, was asked to pay £250, on-the-spot, for the clamp to be released.
Mrs Van Spall said she had not seen warning signs located on the other side of the pavement from the parking bays.
The couple decided to go down the legal route after appealing to the firm and not receiving a reply within the stated 30 days.
Mrs Van Spall, 59 , said: "This was not just for the money but the fact that somebody has recognised that it was unfair.
"If anybody feels really angry about it and as if they have been treated unfairly or unjustly then they should do the same.
"If you don't do anything then nothing changes."
Mrs Van Spall said battling against the clamping firm had not been easy.
She said: "The company didn't put a defence in until the last day and then they tried to get the case moved to Nottingham and Clerkenwell in London. We finally got it moved back up here."
Representatives from private wheel clamping firm Sector Security Ltd did not show up for yesterday's hearing.
The businesswoman said: "The judge said that they hadn't come and asked me just one question – 'did you see the signs?'
"I said no and he said 'that's good enough for me'."
At the Small Claims Court in Hull, Sector Security Ltd was ordered to pay £250 plus costs of about £100 within 14 days to the Van Spalls.
Hull Marina, which is operated by British Waterways Marinas Ltd, now has prominent signs by its parking bays.
Clamping firm Parking Control Ltd regulates the site and the fine for people caught parking illegally has been reduced to £100.
The Mail attempted to contact people connected with Sector Security Ltd, but no one returned our calls.
27 Comments
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by Robbo, Hull
Sunday, December 06 2009, 11:36AM
“I took sector security to the small claims court in the summer and had judgement passed in my favour but sector never payed up and and after doing a search at companies house they had changed their name. Companies house had applied to have them wound up due to not filing accounts on time. It was going to cost even more money to pursue further so i left it at that.”
by Jublified, Hull Marina
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:22PM
“I think i might be gay, please park in my reserved space big boy”
by Justified, Hull Marina
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:44AM
“Ee' I'm a great big fibber me, his account hasn't really been suspended, so I guess I am that fool after all. Regards”
by Justified, Hull Marina
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 9:48AM
“The person posting at 23.49 - 23.53 - 00.02 has been reported for spam abuse is in the process of having their account suspended.”
by TJ, Hull
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 7:17AM
“Saw this on Look North last night. The woman pulled up in her car, parking squarely between two parking spaces on the white line. Hardly surprising that she 'didn't see the signs' - perhaps the judge should have asked her if she actually looked for them.”
by Paulo, Hull's West Side
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 12:02AM
“I 'm a pathetic fool too. I know it, I admit it. I'm trying to bait some illiterate Joe in to commenting, so I can lampoon him, and get a rise from him, in the sure and certain knowledge that in his haste to commit his venom and spleen to typeface, he will spell things wrong, and give a poor articulation of himself, leaving me open to wound his soft, vulnerable intellectual underbelly, with the rapier of my vitriol”
by Garry, Hull
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 11:53PM
“I also apologise for my ill-informed and idiotic posting earlier. I am in fact jealous of anyone who has any money and can afford not only to run a car, but also to successfully sue a criminal organisation for disabling their vehicle. P.S. Big Issue”
by Justified, Hull Marina
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 11:49PM
“I'm sorry for my previous comment. I hadn't taken my medication and I apologise. There is no substance in the suggestion that I am the "Big cheese" behind this extortion racket, however I am a fool, and for that I withdraw any previous postings”
by If only our beloved England could be, how it used to be
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 11:30PM
“These vile and obnoxious parasites, for a change got what they deserved. i would counsel that a non-violent vigilante group be assembled, in considerable and intimidating numbers. Contactable on mobile phones, and able to mobilise immediately. Once a situation arises wherein these criminals are plying their extortion. The organisation should deploy in significant force, with angle grinders if required, and by shere volume of numbers neutralise these thugs. If possible the clamps should then be applied to their own vehicles, whilst simultaneously confiscating their keys. Thereafter, they should then be reported for illegal parking to a rival clamping parasite, and let nature take it's course. In the real world however illegal parking should be the police's responsibility, like it used to be when I was younger, the modern world is vile and corrupt and makes us feel ill at ease, and intimidated”
by jim, The heart of Hull
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 11:06PM
“Mr & Mrs Van Spall you are super,well done.
I bet the feeling of having justice is pure pleasure,enjoy it,go on, and why not? You deserve it.
You did what we all want to do - you proved this scum wrong”